Changeable electric-light sign.



Nq. 632,905. v Patented Nov. 28, |899. H. TRIPP & G. E. STEPHENSUN. CHANGEABLE ELECTRIC LIGHT SIGN.

(Application tiled June 19, 1899.) (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

HERMAN TRIPP AND GEORGE E. s'rEPI-IENsON, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CHANGEABJLE ELECTRIC-LIGHT SIG-N.

SPECIFICATION fer-ming part ef Lettere Patent Ne. 637,905, dated November 2s, ieee.

Application inea June 19, 1899.

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, HERMAN TRIPP and GEORGE E.STEI HENsoN,c-itizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the count-y of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Changeable Electric-Light Signs, ofwhich the folloW ing is a specification.

The objectof our invention is to construct an electric-light sign in which the letters can be readily and quickly changed and repairs easily made; and the invention consists inv the features and combinations hereinafter de scribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the front of the sign, showing a single letter in position; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section, on line 2 of Figi, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3, an end elevation; Fig. .4, an enlarged plan view of a letter with the outer shell or covering removed, showing the conductors and arrangement of lamp-sockets; and Fig. 5, an enlarged detailV in section, ou line 5 ot' Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

In carrying out our improvement we use a frame or backing A, made of woodiron, or

other suitable material and 'of the desired width and length for the sign. This frame or backing is provided with slots c, two slots being used for each line of letters, which slots may extend the full length, if desired. Conductors B and B' for the positive and negative currents are located in line with the slots and each conductor is incased by a shell or covering C, made of galvanized iron or other suitable material. Each conductor is prop-` erly insulated at the end of its -shell or casing C by insulators b and suitably supported within its shell or casing by arms or standards c.

Each letter isl preferably formed Vin a telescopic manner, havingan inner shell or casing D and an outer shell or covering D' fitting over the inner shell, so that by the removal of the outer covering or shell the electric connections are accessible for repairs or other attention.

Each letter is provided with fusing-plugs, one for each conductor, each plug consisting of an inner portion E, having spring-arms e, which clamp around or over the conductor to Serial No. 721,138. (No model.)

furnish contact, and an outer portion F, carrying a fusible material, which portion can be in the form of a screw-threaded plug or a push-plug or other suitable construction which can be entered through the outer shell or cover and be engaged with the inner portion of the fuse to furnish the contact for the circuit.

Each letter is provided with the requisite number of electric sockets G for the reception of incandescent lights H. The shape of the shell or casing conforms to the shape of the letter desired, and each letter is provided with the requisite number of electric sockets to give the desired outline for the letter through the incandescent lights. Each letter has within the inner shell or casing the Wiring CZ, running from socket to socket, and a connectionf, running from the fusing-plug to a socket, so as to complete the circuit when the two parts of the fusing-plug are in contact.

Each letter is provided with individual fuses so constructed or arranged that each letter has control of its own current aud is independently accessible in case of any defect in the current or otherwise, so as to enable repairsto be-made, all that is necessary being to break the contact of the fuse `,by withdrawing the outer portion thereof, which shuts off the current to the lights. The fusing-plugs also act as a safeguard in case of an excess of current or any short-circuiting, which would produceA a high voltage that would cause injurious effects, as any increase of the voltage over the amount which the fusing material would stand at once destroys the fuse and breaks the circuit, shutting od the currentfrom the letter.

The contacts formed with the clamp portion enable a ready changing of the letters to be made, as a letter can be removed from its place by taking hold of the shell or casing and pulling or withdrawing the clamp from the conductors and removing the letter. This enables the letters to be readily changed and the same board to be employed for diderent signs, as desired.

While we have described our invention with more or less minuteness as regards details, we do not desire to be limited thereto unduly any more than is pointed out in the claims. On the contrary, we contemplate changes in IOO form, construction, and arrangement, the

vomission of part-s, and use of equivalents as and letters provided with contacts passing through the slots and securing the letters to the backing and conductors, substantially as described.

2. In an electric-light sign, the combination of a s lotted backing, conductors in line with the slots of the backing, a casing for each conductor, and removable letters having oontacts clamping the letters to the conductors and backing, substantially as described.

3. In an electric-light sign, the combination of a letter, a fuse individual to the letter, and an inner or rearward extensionfrom the fuse terminating in a clamp to engage with an electric conductor and attach the letter to the conductor and complete an electric circuit by the placing ot' the letter in position, substantially as described.

4. In an electric-light-sign letter, the combination of a casing having a bottom and side walls forming' the contour or outline of the desired letter, a series of sockets attached to the bottom and projecting to the plane of the front of the casing and adapted to receive in the projected ends incandescent electric lights, a fuse for the negative and a fuse for the positive current, the outer end of each fuse projecting beyond the plane of the front of the casing, a system of wiring within the casing connecting the sockets and fuses, an inner or rearward extension from each fuse terminating in a clamp to engage with an electric conductor for the clamp to attach the letter in place and complete an electric circuit for the series of incandescent lights of the letter, and a cover for the front of the casing having holes for the projecting ends of the sockets and fuses, substantially as described.

5. In an electric-light sign, the combination" of a slotted back, a positive and negative conductor at the rear of the back, detachable letters for the front of the back, each letter l having a positive and negative contact, each contactadapted to pass through a slot and furnish the means for securing the letter in' place and each. contact extending from a fuse in the letter, whereby the engagement of the contacts with the conductors completes an independent electric circuit for each letter enabling each letter to be independently re-V movable Without disarrangement of the circuit of the remaining letters, substantially as described.

6. In an electric-light sign, the combination of a letter having a positive and negative fuse and a rearward extension of each fuse constituting a means for connecting the letter to the conductors and at the same time securing and holding the letter in position, and a slotted back receiving on the front the letter for the rearward extensions of the fuse to pass through the slots of the back and hold the letter in place by the attachment of the fuse extensions to the conductors, substantially as described.

7. In an electric-light sign, the combination of a letter, a positive and a negative fuse individual to the letter, an inner or rearward extension ot' each fuse, and spring-arms for each extension furnishing a clamp for attachment of the letter to the conductors and completing an electric circuit for the letter by the act ot securing the letter in place, substantially as described.

HERMAN TRIPP. GEORGE E. STEPHENSON.

Witnesses:

EPHRAIM BANNING, THOMAS B. MCGREGOR. 

